Then Bjarke, who was to deal the return-stroke, leaned his foot against a stock, in order to give the freer poise to his steel, and passed his fine-edged blade through the midst of Agnar's body.

Some declare that Agnar, in supreme suppression of his pain, gave up the ghost with his lips relaxed into a smile.

The champions passionately sought to avenge him, but were visited by Bjarke with like destruction; for he used a sword of wonderful sharpness and unusual length which he called Lovi.

While he was triumphing in these deeds of prowess, a beast of the forest furnished him fresh laurels.

For he met a huge bear in a thicket, and slew it with a javelin; and then bade his companion Hjalte put his lips to the beast and drink the blood that came out, that he might be the stronger afterwards.